The Carpool with Kelly and Lizz

Episode: “Acknowledging the Space We’re In”
Date: April 10, 2026
Hosts: Kelly Stumpe and Lizz St. John

Overview

In this candid and laughter-filled episode, Kelly and Lizz reflect on the importance of acknowledging life's ebbs and flows, from chaotic mom moments to celebratory milestones (like new car purchases and family traditions). They weave in relatable advice for millennial moms, touch on the ins and outs of car buying, discuss the intricacies of car seat fitting, and get nostalgic over American Girl Dolls. Listeners also get updates on industry news—minivans, car collaborations, and the ever-shifting EV market—plus answers to practical car-buying and family life questions.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Checking In and Acknowledging the Space We’re In

• Kelly and Lizz open by joking about hectic mom life and the feeling that “Friday means nothing; a weekend means nothing to me. It’s just another day to survive.” (00:36 | Lizz)
• Kelly's Advice: Recognize and honor your current season. “I always tell my younger sisters just to, like, acknowledge the space that you’re in. Not you, because you’re not in a good space. Like, I'm acknowledging the space that I'm in right now.” (02:00)
  • She notes that everyone can turn a day around with “a good night’s sleep, a 75-degree day, a spray tan, and iced coffee." (02:43)
• Memorable Quote:
  • “You are like a good night’s sleep, a 75 degree day, a spray tan and iced coffee away from the girl you want to be.” (02:43 | Kelly)

2. Family Updates & Traditions

• Kelly celebrates her new car purchase: a white Ford Expedition, short wheelbase with a bench seat—a decision based on her family's needs.
  • “No, Ford did not give it to me. I ordered it.” (04:19 | Kelly)
  • She prefers short wheelbase for zippiness and practicality, and the bench for flexibility with kids and friends. (05:41)
• New parenting tradition: Celebrating kids’ half birthdays with special dinners.
  • “Birthdays are for families, so we’re taking them out to dinner on their half birthday every year.” (10:28 | Kelly)
  • “They’re very excited. They’re very into the fact they have another birthday.” (10:55 | Kelly)

3. The Realities and Guilt of Motherhood

• Lizz reflects on the challenge of parenting closely-aged siblings and the guilt over sharing attention (12:07).
  • Reminds herself: “There’s five of us, and we all turned out fine.” (12:45)
  • American Girl Doll nostalgia and trauma come up—highlighting how parenting and childhood rites of passage have changed. (13:01)

4. American Girl Doll Obsession

• The sisters discuss secondhand finds, family memories, and prices for modern and historical dolls. (13:09–16:08)
  • The original 18-inch dolls with a book are now $175 (15:49 | Kelly)
  • Notable exchange: “That is so expensive for a doll.” (15:51 | Liz)
• Plans for a mother-daughter trip to the American Girl Doll store—debating destinations and family fun. (14:13)

5. Base Model Luxury Tip

• Making the functional beautiful: Lizz creates a “band-aid and medication station” on a serving platter to elevate daily routines.
  • Kelly implements the same for her skincare: “I put all my skincare out on my counter. … it looks so intentional.” (26:49 | Kelly)
  • Advice: Use beautiful, non-bathroom specific containers for an aesthetic upgrade to everyday items. (27:45)

6. Car & Car Seat Industry Knowledge

• Kelly shares insights about the complexity of car seats—specifically high vs. low profile—encouraging people to change the car seat, not necessarily the car, for better fit and function.
  • “People are literally buying a new car when all they need to do is switch their car seat.” (21:13 | Kelly)
• Frustrations about car seat and vehicle compatibility, and call for more practical, real-world content from CPSTs (Certified Passenger Safety Technicians). (22:02 forward)

7. Advice Segment: Real-World Car Buying Q&A

Listener-submitted questions with practical, thoughtful responses from Kelly and Lizz.

• Sexy, reliable luxury SUVs for two-kid families:
  • Top picks: Volvo XC90, Lexus TX, Genesis GV80, Infiniti QX60, and Buick Enclave. (29:23–30:24)
  • “I wish Buick would reach out to be honest with you…” (30:24 | Kelly)
• Hybrid recommendations for non-Toyota loyalists debating Sienna vs. Grand Highlander: (31:43)
  • Both options are solid, but personal preference and test drives are key.
  • Car buying tips for military spouses: Be upfront with salespeople, use your spouse’s absence as a negotiation tool, and remember to ask for the military discount. (33:16–34:16)
• Should I trade my Expedition after a minor accident?
  • “If it was a minor accident that you got repaired, as long as airbags didn’t deploy… you’re fine. … I literally don’t think it will affect your trade-in value at all.” (35:56 | Kelly)
  • Financial logic to justify the trade for improved gas mileage and insurance savings.

8. Hot Takes: Car Industry News & Gossip

• Tesla’s glut of unsold EVs following tax incentive phase-outs. Tesla’s lack of styling updates and innovation is hurting its dominance. (41:16)
  • “You’re not the best if you’re the only.” (41:49 | Kelly)
• GM’s surprising focus on sedans (Buick sedan, Cadillac CT5, Chevy Camaro) instead of SUVs—“Sedans are back!” (43:42)
  • The potential new “Buick Electra” name gets the hosts’ approval: “Electra is such a good name.” (45:10 | Kelly)
• Edmunds’ 2026 Minivans picks:
  • Best in class: Toyota Sienna. (45:34)
  • “Best minivan that isn’t a hybrid”: Kia Carnival.
  • Chrysler Pacifica wins its own category (“best minivan made by Chrysler”) and gets some shade for its second-row seating but is ultimately defended by Kelly for its overall value, lower MSRP, stow ‘n go, and improved car seat compatibility. (46:03–48:48)
  • “People are being a little mean to the Pacifica—and I think I’ve been mean to the Pacifica.” (47:35 | Kelly)
  • Discussion about vague “reliability” ratings, with owner satisfaction scores:
    • Sienna 75%
    • Odyssey 69%
    • Carnival 80%
    • Pacifica 62% (49:57)
• Car Collabs: Ford x Eddie Bauer Bronco nostalgia
  • “It’s considered one of the greatest brand collabs in history...” (52:49 | Kelly)
  • Brainstorming current/future collabs like Yeti x Ford, Patagonia x Hyundai. (55:03)
  • “Bronco x Yeti would be sick!” (55:48 | Lizz)

9. Lighthearted Closer: Ditch to the Drive & Recipes

• Kelly shares her favorite “cabbage soup” (~56:40) and a unique “ground chicken Caesar salad pizza” recipe.
  • “It tastes like a chicken Caesar salad, but it’s such a different way to eat that.” (56:55 | Kelly)

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• “You are like a good night’s sleep, a 75 degree day, a spray tan and iced coffee away from the girl you want to be.”
  — Kelly (02:43)
• “I'm just going to acknowledge that my kids are healthy. I'm feeling good. The weather’s nice. Car Mom’s going good.”
  — Kelly (02:03)
• “The only way through is through.”
  — Lizz (00:36)
• “No, Ford did not give it to me. Like, wish they would.”
  — Kelly on buying her own Expedition (04:19)
• “I wish Buick would reach out to be honest with you.”
  — Kelly (30:24)
• “[Tesla] haven’t been bothered to update their car since it came out in 2014. … You’re not the best if you’re the only.”
  — Kelly (41:49)
• “Electra is such a good name.”
  — Kelly, on Buick’s sedan (45:10)
• “Bronco x Yeti would be sick!”
  — Lizz (55:48)

Segment Timestamps

• Checking In & Acknowledging Life's Seasons: 00:36–03:43
• Ordering a New Car/Car Philosophy: 04:19–08:55
• Family Traditions – Half Birthday Dinners: 09:23–11:55
• American Girl Doll Memories & Plans: 13:01–16:08
• Base Model Luxury Tip: 26:41–27:58
• Car Seat Real Talk & Industry News: 20:08–24:41
• Listener Advice Q&A: 28:09–37:15
• Industry Hot Takes: 40:33–52:09
• Car Brand Collabs: 52:09–55:48
• Cabbage Soup & Fun Recipes: 56:40–end

Tone

Conversational, witty, supportive, and relatable with plenty of practical advice. The sisters share their wisdom as auto-industry experts, but always keep things light, honest, and down-to-earth.

This summary covers all the episode’s main discussions, practical takeaways, memorable moments, and relevant timestamps, offering a full snapshot for anyone who missed the episode.